Pipe-tongs.



No; 743,593. PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903. J. P. & H. M. THOMANN.

PIPE TONGS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1903.

N0 MODEL Patented November 10, 1903.

PATENT JOHN P. THOMANN AND HENRY M. THOMANN, OF RIVERSIDE, IOWA.

PlPE-TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,593, dated November 10, 1903. Application filed February 5, 1903. Serial No. 142,057. (No model.)

To aZZ whom zit may concern:

Be itkuown that we, J onn P. THOMANN and HENRY M. THOMANN, citizens of the United States, residing at Riverside, in the county of Washington and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Tongs; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to -make and use the same.

This invention relates to pipe-tongs.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and cheap construction of pipe-tongs adapted to be readily adjusted to suit the size of pipe engaged and having a rocking jaw member adapted to automatically accommodate itself to the size and position of the pipe and enable afirm grip to be obtained on pipes of various sizes.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Figure 1 is a side View of a pair of pipetongs constructed in accordance with-the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2 represent the handles of the tool, the former having a curved and recessed outer end 3 and the latter an obliquely-extending portion 4, provided with a fixed angular jaw 5. tion of the handle 1 is arranged a coacting jaw 6, which is provided with a V-shaped serrated pipe-receiving notch or recess 7 and is mounted upon a pivotpin 8 to rock or oscillate in a direction longitudinally of said handle 1. A plate'spring 9 is fixed at one end, as shown at 10, to the upper edge of the jaw 1 and is curved to conform to the curved end 3 and has its free end bearing upon the forward edge of the jaw 6 to limit the outward movement of said jaw and retain it in the prescribed working position. The two handles 1 and 2 are pivotally and adj ustably connected by means of stud or bolt 11, provided at one end with a head 12 and at the other end with a nut 12'. This bolt orstud pro- In the recessed porj ects through the handle 1 and through aslot 13, formed within the angular or oblique portion 4 of the handle 2, and its head and nut bear against the outer sides of said handles and hold the latter in proper relative position. A set-screw 14: works within a th readed opening 15 in alateral boss 15, formed on the handle 2, which opening communicates with the upper end of said slot 13, and said set-screw bears against the shank of the stud or bolt 11 and affords a means by which the handle 2 may be adjusted in direction transversely of the handle 1 to adjust the jaw 5 toward and from the jaw 6 to ad apt the tongs for application to diiferent-sized pipes.

In the operation of the device it will be understood that the handles 1 and 2 are first,

manipulated to open the jaws to bringthe pipe to be engaged between the same and that when the pipe is seated against the jaw 5 the jaw 6 is brought to bear upon the pipe and will rock or oscillate on its pivot 8 to accommodate itself to the size or position of the pipe, thereby enabling pipes of different sizes to be firmly gripped. The inward movement of the jaw 6 is limited by the shoulder 3 at the lower end of the recesses 3, and its outward movement is limited by the spring 9, which retains it in working position.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Pipe-tongs constructed in accordance with our invention give a firm and positive grip on a pipe, will not slip thereon, will not break or crush the pipe under heavy strain, and will not dull orbreak the teeth of the jaws, which will always remain sharp enough to secure a firm engagement with the pipe.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-- Pipe -tongs comprising pivoted handles, one having a fixed jaw provided with a V-face and the other a fulcrum for said jaw and a segmental recess on its inner side, the inner wall of said recess forming a stop, an elliptical rocking jaw pivotally mounted in said recess, lying within the plane thereof, having a V- notched end projecting below the lower edge of said handle to cooperate with the V-face of the fixed jaw, and limited in its inward movement by the said stop, the pivotal connection of said rocking jaw being coincident with or below the plane of the fulcrum of the fixed jaw, a spring engaging the outer side edge of, the elliptical rocking jaw and restricting its outward swing, and means for shifting the fixed jaw withrelation to its fulcrum, the ar- 

